Helleborus plant named ‘COSEH 6500’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Helleborus  plant named ‘COSEH 6500’, characterized by its upright to slightly outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit; dark green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; light yellow green-colored flowers with greyed purple to greyed red-colored margins and venation; and good garden performance.

Botanical designation: Helleborus x ballardiae X Helleborus x hybridus.

Cultivar denomination: ‘COSEH 6500’.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS

Title: Helleborus Plant Named ‘COSEH 6400’

Inventor/Applicant: Josef Heuger

Filed: Concurrently with the instant application (U.S. Plant patentapplication Ser. No. 16/873,645)

Title: Helleborus Plant Named ‘COSEH 6600’

Inventor/Applicant: Josef Heuger

Filed: Concurrently with the instant application (U.S. Plant patentapplication Ser. No. 16/873,637)

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR/APPLICANT

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instantplant was filed by the Inventor/Applicant, Mr. Josef Heuger of Glandorf,Germany, on Jun. 6, 2019, application number 2019/1388. Foreign priorityis not claimed to this application.

The Inventor/Applicant asserts that no publications nor advertisementsrelating to sales, offers for sale or public distribution occurred morethan one year prior to the effective filing date of this application.Any information about the claimed plant would have been obtained from adirect or indirect disclosure from the Inventor or Applicant.Inventor/Applicant claims a prior art exemption under 35 U.S.C.102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior to the filing date but lessthan one year prior to the effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofHelleborus plant, botanically known as Helleborus x ballardiae XHelleborus x hybridus and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘COSEH6500’.

The new Helleborus plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Glandorf, Germany. The objective of thebreeding program was to create new uniform Helleborus plants with uniqueand attractive plant habit, leaf and flower coloration and tolerance tobiotic and abiotic stress.

The new Helleborus plant originated from a cross-pollination conductedby the Inventor in Glandorf, Germany in November, 2012 of a proprietaryselection of Helleborus x ballardiae identified as code number P839, notpatented, as the female, or seed patent and an unnamed selection ofHelleborus x hybridus, not patented, as the male, or pollen parent. Thenew Helleborus plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as asingle flowering plant from within the progeny of the statedcross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouse environment inGlandorf, Germany in December, 2014.

Asexual reproduction of the new Helleborus plant by in vitro axillarymeristem culture in a controlled environment in Glandorf, Germany sinceMarch, 2015 has shown that the unique features of this new Helleborusplant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Helleborus have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘COSEH 6500’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘COSEH 6500’ as a new and distinct Helleborusplant:

-   -   1. Upright to slightly outwardly spreading and mounded plant        habit.    -   2. Moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Dark green-colored leaves.    -   4. Freely flowering habit.    -   5. Light yellow green-colored flowers with greyed purple to        greyed red-colored margins and venation.    -   6. Good garden performance.

Plants of the new Helleborus differ from plants of the female parentselection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Helleborus are more vigorous than plants of        the female parent selection.    -   2. Plants of the new Helleborus flower later than plants of the        female parent selection.

Plants of the new Helleborus differ from plants of the male parentselection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Helleborus are more vigorous than plants of        the male parent selection.    -   2. Leaves of plants of the new Helleborus are darker green in        color than leaves of plants of the male parent selection.

Plants of the new Helleborus can be compared to plants of Helleborus xballardiae X Helleborus x hybridus ‘COSEH 6400’, disclosed in a U.S.Plant Patent application filed concurrently. Plants of the newHelleborus differ primarily from plants of ‘COSEH 6400’ in plant andgrowth habit as plants of the new Helleborus are shorter and broaderthan and not as vigorous as plants of ‘COSEH 6400’.

Plants of the new Helleborus can be compared to plants of Helleborus xballardiae X Helleborus x hybridus ‘COSEH 6600’, disclosed in a U.S.Plant Patent application filed concurrently. Plants of the newHelleborus differ primarily from plants of ‘COSEH 6600’ in flower coloras plants of the new Helleborus have light yellow green-colored flowerswith greyed purple to greyed red-colored margins whereas plants of‘COSEH 6600’ have greyed purple to greyed red-colored flowers. Inaddition, plants of the new Helleborus are taller and broader thanplants of ‘COSEH 6600’.

Plants of the new Helleborus can also be compared to plants ofHelleborus x hybridus ‘ABCRD01’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,149) also knownas trade name ‘Penny's Pink’. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of thenew Helleborus differ primarily from plants of ‘Penny's Pink’ in thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Helleborus have dark green-colored leaves        without distinct venation whereas plants of ‘Penny's Pink’ have        green-colored leaves with distinct venation.    -   2. Plants of the new Helleborus differ from plants of ‘Penny's        Pink’ in flower color as plants of the new Helleborus have light        yellow green-colored flowers with greyed purple to greyed        red-colored margins whereas plants of ‘Penny's Pink’ have greyed        purple-colored flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Helleborus plant showing the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color valuescited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describethe colors of the new Helleborus plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1 of 2) is a side perspectiveview of a typical flowering plant of ‘COSEH 6500’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2 of 2) is a close-up view of atypical flower of ‘COSEH 6500’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurementsand values describe plants grown during March in 17-cm containers in aglass-covered greenhouse in Glandorf, Germany and under culturalpractices typical of commercial Helleborus production. During theproduction of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 12° C. to 32° C.and night temperatures ranged from 5° C. to 12° C. Plants were fourmonths old when the photographs and the description were taken. In thefollowing description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Helleborus x ballardiae X Helleborus x    hybridus ‘COSEH 6500’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Helleborus            x ballardiae disclosed as code number P839, not patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Unnamed selection of Helleborus x            hybridus, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—In vitro axillary meristem culture.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 55 days at            temperatures about 12° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 170 days            at temperatures ranging from 4° C. to 15° C.        -   Root description.—Thick to thin, fleshy; typically white to            brown in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on            substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and            formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of            roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Low branching; sparse.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Herbaceous perennial; upright to            slightly outwardly spreading and mounding plant habit with            flowers held within and above the foliar plane; plant shape,            roughly flattened globular; moderately vigorous to vigorous            growth habit and rapid growth rate.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 29            cm.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of flowers.—About 50.8 cm.        -   Plant diameter (area of spread).—About 76 cm.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Leaves arranged in a basal rosette; leaves            palmately compound with typically five leaflets per leaf.        -   Leaf length.—About 20.8 cm.        -   Leaf width.—About 20.4 cm.        -   Leaflet length.—About 12.6 cm.        -   Leaflet width.—About 7.2 cm.        -   Leaf shape.—Palmate; orbicular in outline.        -   Leaflet shape.—Elliptic to ovate.        -   Leaflet apex.—Acute to bluntly acute.        -   Leaflet base.—Attenuate.        -   Leaflet margin.—Serrate; coarsely undulate.        -   Leaflet texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            leathery; moderately glossy.        -   Leaflet texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            leathery; slightly glossy.        -   Leaflet venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Leaflet color.—Developing leaflets, upper surface: Close to            NN137A; midvein tinged at the base with close to 184A.            Developing leaflets, lower surface: Close to 148A; midvein,            close to 183A. Fully developed leaflets, upper surface:            Darker than between 139A and 147A; venation, close to 144A            and at the base, tinged with close to 187A. Fully developed            leaflets, lower surface: Close to 147B; venation, close to            183A.        -   Petioles.—Length: About 19.7 cm. Diameter: About 5.5 mm to            7 mm. Strength: Strong. Texture and luster, upper and lower            surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy. Color, upper            and lower surfaces: Close to 146D moderately covered with            fine dots, close to 183B and proximally, more heavily            covered and fine dots, close to 183A.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower shape and habit.—Rotate flowers; flowers moderately            cupped; arranged in panicles; freely flowering habit with            about six flowers per inflorescence and about 54 flowers            developing per plant; flowers face mostly outwardly to            slightly nodding.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Natural flowering season.—Plants begin flowering about ten            months after planting; plants flower naturally from winter            into the late winter in Germany.        -   Flower longevity on the plant.—About ten days; sepals            persistent, other flower parts are not persistent.        -   Flower buds.—Length: About 1.4 cm. Diameter: About 1 cm.            Shape: Broadly ovate to oblong. Texture and luster: Smooth,            glabrous; matte. Color: Close to 145C.        -   Inflorescence height (including peduncle).—About 55.2 cm.        -   Inflorescence diameter.—About 16.2 cm.        -   Flower diameter.—About 6.2 cm by 6.2 cm.        -   Flower depth (height).—About 2.4 cm.        -   Petals.—All petals are transformed into nectaries.        -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: About five, arranged in a            single whorl. Length: About 3.6 cm. Width: About 3.2 cm.            Shape: Broadly ovate to broadly rhomboidal, slightly            concave. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Truncate to broadly cuneate.            Margin: Entire; not undulate to slightly undulate. Texture            and luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Texture            and luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous; slightly            glossy. Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to 157A;            towards the margins and apex, close to 186C. When opening,            lower surface: Close to 145D; towards the margins, close to            60B to 60C. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 145C;            towards the margins and apex, close to 186C; venation, close            to 186C; with development, color becoming closer to 146D and            towards the margins and apex, moderately tinged with close            to 182B; venation, close to 187D. Fully opened, lower            surface: Close to 145C; towards the margins and apex,            strongly tinged with close to 60C to 60D; venation, similar            to lamina; with development, color becoming closer to N148B            to N148C, towards the margins and apex, strongly tinged with            close to 183B and venation, close to 187B.        -   Flower bracts.—Quantity per flower: Typically one or two.            Length: About 5.2 cm. Width: About 2.9 cm. Shape: Ovate.            Apex: Tri-lobed. Base: Truncate. Margin: Sparsely and finely            serrate; slightly undulate. Color, upper surface: Close to            NN137A; venation, similar to lamina. Color, lower surface:            Close to 147B; venation, close to 183A.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 48.3 cm. Diameter: About 9 mm.            Aspect: About 20° from vertical. Strength: Strong. Texture            and luster: Smooth, glabrous; moderately glossy. Color:            Close to 145C, heavily covered with fine dots, close to 182A            and 182B.        -   Pedicels.—Length: About 2.2 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm.            Aspect: About 10° to 25° from peduncle axis. Strength:            Moderately strong. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous;            moderately glossy. Color: Close to 145A, sparsely covered            with fine dots, close to 182B to 182D.        -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: About 80.            Filament length: About 1.4 cm. Filament color: Close to            NN155A. Anther shape: Double and broadly reniform;            basifixed. Anther size: About 2 mm by 3 mm. Anther color:            Close to 150C. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color: Close            to 4D to lighter than 4D. Pistils: Quantity per flower:            About five to seven. Pistil length: About 1.2 cm. Stigma            diameter: About 0.3 mm. Stigma shape: Club-shaped. Stigma            color: Close to 157A. Style length: About 1.1 cm. Style            color: Close to 185D. Ovary color: Close to 145C. Nectaries            (transformed petals): Quantity per flower: About twelve.            Length: About 1.3 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm. Shape: Tubular,            flattened. Texture and luster, inner and outer surfaces:            Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy. Color, immature, inner            surface: Close to 145B; towards the base, close to 145A.            Color, immature, outer surface: Close to 145B; towards the            base, close to 145A; basal spot, close to 146D. Color,            mature, inner surface: Close to N144B; towards the apex,            close to between 150B and 151D; venation, similar to lamina;            with development, becoming closer to N144A and towards the            apex, close to 151D. Color, mature, outer surface: Close to            N144B; towards the apex, close to between 150B and 151D;            basal spot, close to 152D; venation, similar to lamina; with            development, becoming closer to N144A, towards the apex,            close to 151D and basal spot, close to 152D.        -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have            not been observed on plants of the new Helleborus.-   Garden performance: Plants of the new Helleborus have been observed    to have good garden performance and to tolerate rain, wind, high    temperatures about 35° C. and to be suitable for USDA Hardiness    Zones 5 through 9.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Helleborus    have not been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common    to Helleborus plants.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Helleborus plant named ‘COSEH 6500’as illustrated and described.